Gastrosapien (5e Race)

Gastrosapien

“	While we might not have come about by the hand of some god that is shared between you dry walkers, know that we do breathe and thrive as you do and that we will not be moved.	”
—Elder Juhlo, gastrosapien shaman.

Physical Description

Gastrosapiens are large hulking bipedal snail people native to bogs and other humid areas. While known mostly for their durable shells, they also possess a soft body which is covered with a thick sap like mucus. While colors of their shells can range from swamp to swamp, the most common color of their flesh is a sickly semitransparent green with brown splotches.

By Mr--Jack

History

Gastrosapiens are said to have originated from the snails that lived in what are now their swampy homes. These snails allegedly gained a higher intellect after a roaming band of mages abandoned a stock of potions near the water's edge. Soon after, these enlightened snails' bodies grew with their minds, and became the beings that are seen today. They are commonly and erroneously thought to have come from the Feywilds.

Society

Gastrosapiens were once thought by ancient peoples to be walking stomach sacs, hence their given name, which is literally "wise stomach." Today, they can be seen in large bogs and swamps in the far south in crude villages made from the rotten wood and damp earth that surrounds them. These villages are governed by a council of elders, who are fiercely respected by villagers. Occasionally, a few will leave their homes in search of supplies for their village, or to find adventure away from their humble start. Regardless of their motivation, a gastrosapien will venture tirelessly until they have accomplished their goal.

Gastrosapien Names

Gastrosapien names are usually soft and vowel filled, such as "Uugo". As gastrosapiens are hermaphrodites, like normal snails, they don't worry about male or female specific names.

Gastrosapien Names: Pogo, Odda, Bogg, Uugo, Yog, Poggers, Uyeth, Yuul, Bob, Ombus, Wambo, Quag, Gorf, Omni, Plumb, Vog, Augus, Albo, Nabu

Gastrosapien Nicknames: Jello, Slime, Blob, Splat, Shelly, Softy, Jelly, Ooze

Gastrosapien Traits

Gastrosapiens are large bipedal snail creatures native to swamps and wetlands.
Ability Score Increase. As a gastrosapien your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Age. The average lifespan of gastrosapiens is slightly longer than that of humans, with the oldest known specimen having lived to the age of 335. Gastrosapiens mature slowly and are not fully considered adults until they reach the age of 35.
Alignment. Most follow a neutral path and will act within reason of their current situation.
Size. A gastrosapien's height may range from around 5'4 to as tall as 6'2. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking and climbing speed is 25 feet.
Invertebrate. Your soft, boneless body is able to absorb blows better than other bodies. You have advantage on saving throws against taking non-magical bludgeoning damage.
Slime Coated. Checks to grapple you roll with disadvantage. You cannot use this trait while using shell defense or when you have not fulfilled your daily water requirement.
Shell Defense. As an action or a reaction, you can withdraw into your shell. Until you emerge, you gain a +3 bonus to AC, and you have advantage on Strength and Constitution saving throws. While in your shell, you are prone, your speed is 0 and can't increase, you have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws, you can't take reactions, and the only action you can take is a bonus action to emerge from your shell.
Salt Vulnerability. Salt is detrimental to gastrosapiens. You cannot consume any foods that have salt, nor can you come in contact with saltwater.
Monstrous Nature. You are a blobby snail that only vaguely has some limb arrangement. Your creature type is monstrosity instead of humanoid. As such, you are immune to spells like crown of madness or dominate person because they specifically target humanoids.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Gastrosapien. Gastrosapien is a sibilant language that uses the Elvish script. It makes use of slurping noises in addition to other syllables.
Subrace. Choose from the corrosive, toxic, glueskin, spectral, or nomadic subraces.

Corrosive Gastrosapien

These Gastrosapiens are infamous for their slime's ability to corrode metal. Only those who have never heard of them are foolish enough to engage them at close proximity with metal weaponry. They are known to reside in swamp areas where caustic fumes bubble up from their homes in the shallows of mud and acidic slurry.

Metal Corrosion. As a reaction, when a non-magical weapon made of metal hits you, you can attempt to corrode it. After dealing damage, the holder of the weapon must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC = 8 + your Constitution modifier + proficiency bonus. On a failed save, the weapon takes a permanent and cumulative -1 penalty to damage rolls. If its penalty drops to -5, the weapon is destroyed. Non-magical ammunition made of metal that hits you can be destroyed with this reaction after dealing damage. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining all use after you finish a long rest.
Swamp Walker. You ignore difficult terrain caused by muddy or swampy ground.

Toxic Gastrosapien

These brightly colored gastrosapiens are feared for the poisonous slime which coats their entire bodies. Their poisonous capabilities are so well known, that hardened criminals have been known to tattoo their bodies with markings resembling those of the toxic gastrosapiens so that they may appear more intimidating to their enemies. This subrace of gastrosapiens are known to be fairly common in urban areas. Some say their poisonous biology derives from eking a life off city rubbish.

Vibrant Warning. Your vibrant skin serves to warn others of your toxic capabilities. You're proficient in the Intimidation skill.
Toxicity. Your skin is covered with a poisonous coating of slime. You are resistant to poison damage. Additionally, you can spend at least 1 hour to harvest one vial of poison from your own body. This poison is slimy, sticky, and discolored comparison to normal, refined poisons, making it pretty much unable to be sold in normal stores. This poison loses its potency at the end of your next long rest.

Glueskin Gastrosapien

Although quite rare, there are gastrosapiens who have developed the ability to produce copious amounts of their adhesive slime. This strange form of self-defense makes it difficult for enemies to approach glueskin gastrosapiens without getting stuck in puddles of slime.

Adhesive Grip. Your slime coated skin makes it easier for you to take hold of your opponents and overpower them. You have advantage in Strength (Athletics) checks to grapple.
Slime Puddle. As an action, you can produce a mass of slime which fills the area surrounding you. Surfaces within 15 feet of you become coated in this slime and are considered difficult terrain. A creature that starts its turn standing on the slime or that walks onto it during its turn must make a Strength saving throw (DC = 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus). On a failed save, the creature is Restrained by the sticky goo for up to one minute. A creature restrained by the slime can use its action to make a Strength check against the same DC on its turn. If it succeeds, it is no longer restrained. You can use this ability once, regaining use after you finish a long rest.

Spectral Gastrosapien

Although not truly of spectral nature, one could easily mistake a spectral gastrosapien with a ghost, as their magic absorbent slime grants them the ability to become practically invisible.

Otherworldly Transparency. As an action, you can alter your slime's coloration to become transparent until you move, make an attack, fall prone, or cast a spell with a somatic component, either voluntarily or because of some external effect. While using this ability, you are considered invisible and can attempt to hide even when only lightly obscured or even in plain sight. While lightly or heavily obscured, Wisdom (Perception) checks made to see you have disadvantage. You can also use this ability as a bonus action while using your Shell Defense. You can use this ability once, regaining use after you finish a long rest.
Silent. You have proficiency in Stealth.

Nomadic Gastrosapien

Perhaps the most recognizable of their kind, these gastrosapiens are travelers who will wander tirelessly across the land in search of the perfect place to make their home.

Mobile Home. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push or drag.
Well Traveled. You are proficient in the Nature or Survival skill and can hold your breath for up to 1 hour at a time.

Gastrosapien Personality

When creating a Gastrosapien character, you can use the following table of traits to help flesh out your character. Use this table in addition to or in place of your background's characteristics.

d8	Personality Trait
1	You don't like to be in one place for too long, you always have to be on the move.
2	For some reason, you have an affinity for befriending creatures others would consider ugly. You just feel more comfortable around them than those who are considered "beautiful".
3	You are never in a rush to do anything, and always behave in a lazy, slow moving manner.
4	You are uncomfortable in all environments except for swamps, and feel homesick when you are not in one.
5	You can't stand loud creatures, and will either avoid them entirely, or shut them up.
6	You embrace ignorance. What you do not know you do not care to learn.
7	You don't care about money and prefer to give it to others who value it more than you do. All you need is food and shelter to be content.
8	You feel guilty if you do not stand up for the weak when they are in need.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
5′ 7''	+2d4	260 lb.	× (2d4) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

5.00

(one vote)

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